(a) In order to be certified as a medication assistive person, an applicant shall submit to the West Virginia Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses an application and appropriate fee. During the pilot program, temporary certificates will be issued. At the completion of the pilot program, if proven successful, qualified individuals holding a temporary certificate as a medication assistive person meeting requirements for full certification shall be issued a permanent certificate. The application shall provide written evidence, verified by oath, that the applicant:

(1) (A) Is currently listed in good standing on the state's certified nurse aide registry;

(B) Has maintained registration on the state's certified nurse aide registry continuously for a minimum of one year;

(C) Has completed at least one continuous year of full-time experience as a certified nurse aide in this state;

(D) Is currently employed at a designated facility;

(E) Has a high school diploma or the equivalent;

(F) Has successfully completed a literacy and reading comprehension screening process approved by the board;

(G) Has completed a state and federal criminal background check in compliance with board requirements;

(H) Has successfully completed a medication assistive person training course of not less than one hundred hours approved by the board; and

(I) Has successfully passed an examination on subjects the board determines; or

(2) (A) Has completed a portion of a nursing education program equivalent to the medication assistive person training course; and

(B) Passed the medication aide examination.

(b) The board may issue a certification as a medication assistive person by endorsement to an applicant who has been licensed or certified as a medication assistive person under the laws of another state or territory if:

(1) In the opinion of the board, the applicant meets the qualifications of medication assistive persons in this state; and

(2) The board recommends certification.

(c) Any person holding a certification as a medication assistive person may use the title "medication aide-certified" and the abbreviation "MA-C".